Entry for SALVADORA persica L. [family SALVADORACEAE]
Entry From
Flora Somalia, Vol 2, (1999) Author: by Abdi M. Dahir [updated by M. Thulin 2008]
Notes
Cadey (Som., plant), rumay (Som., tooth brush); mustard tree (Eng.).The fruits of S. persica are edible and have a pungent taste. Twigs and roots are widely used as tooth brush. Extracts from S. persica are used also in some tooth pastes in Europe, and the contents of salt and resins are said to have a cleaning effect. The species has been divided into a number of varieties, and except for the widespread type variety, three other varieties have been recorded in Somalia. These are no more than extreme forms within a continuous variation, and can be distinguished as follows: